Harrisburg, AR - April 18/19, 2015 Patriot's Day AAR

[Maximum Ordinate]

The Arkansas crew gathered early Saturday morning at the Skeeter Trap Gun Club for the first Project Appleseed clinic in Harrisburg, Arkansas!  The forecast was 80% thunderstorms all weekend long... but the reality was far different.  The skies were beautiful and temperature perfect for a Patriot's Day celebration!  10 shooters, including several return Appleseeders, gathered to hear the events of 240 years ago and learn the quintessential American skill of marksmanship.  We started the day by welcoming Quinn back to the instructor corps and belatedly awarding a Winterseed patch!

Full of smiles, Saturday went by so fast.  We covered good positions and NPOA.  Sticksnstones told us all about the "Sticks Steps" of firing a shot!  After lots of drills and learning IMC, we ended the day with an Appleseed Qualification Test and a Redcoat target.   John stepped up to share First Strike, Rusty told the Second Strike, and Tom told us about the battle all the way back to Boston in the Third Strike.

Julius rocked out a qualifying score of 212 and earned his Rifleman patch!  While everyone saw major improvement during the day, it was Rachel who truly was Most Improved from morning to afternoon Redcoat!

Sunday was April 19th and our shooters arrived wearing Patriot's Day Red!  That morning, Doug (Crossfire) accepted an Orange Hat and Rachel accepted a Blue Hat (Applecore-Rifleman!)  HUZZAH!!  Throughout the day, we talked about what the Colonists and Redcoats were doing at that particular time of day.

After a quick review & safety brief, several shooters needed to re-zero after making equipment adjustments in the evening.  We did some squares and mag change drills (your author's personal favorite).  Ball and dummy was helpful in letting shooters observe and correct their peers' errors.

After one AQT, we settled in for lunch.  The team shared about Dangerous Old Men and Women... then we began our KD class.  Sadly, the 100y range was a mudfest so we spent extra time on the discussion of the Three Challenges of a Rifleman.

We rocked out some AQTs in the afternoon... but the old shoot boss was holding some of those targets back.  Coaches were on the line gently assisting where needed and the clock approached 3pm central time.

At 3pm on the dot, our shooters participated in the Memorial Volley fired with Appleseeders all over the country.  We read all 40 names from the Bloody Butchery poster.  After our 13 rounds, we called cease fire and asked shooters to stand at the edge of their mats.  The Arkansas State Coordinator and the Shoot Boss went down the line, thanking them for participating in the volley and awarding the Patriots Day patch.

After another couple of AQTs, we held an impromptu awards ceremony.  Cat qualified with a 212!  Even with a 213!  Andrew with a 214!  Rachel with a 228!!   

Doug and Julius both fired multiple requalifying scores!!   

The highlight of the afternoon was Cat accepting an Orange Hat.  You see, Cat is originally from Romania.  He's seen tyrany and corruption - our history resonates deeply and personally with him.  I'm very proud to welcome him to our ranks.

All of our shooters made great progress.  Those of you still striving for your patch, remember that A Rifleman Persists!  On behalf of our entire instructor team, it was our privlege to serve you this weekend.  I hope to see each of you on the line again soon!

Here are some pictures from the weekend!  At the bottom of this message, you'll see the link to my Photobucket album.  If you'd like a full-resolution copy of a picture, please send me a message through the forum with your email address!

in Liberty,
Rusty


Setting up flags:


Putting the line together:


Our awesome Applecore support getting ready to receive shooters:


Part of our instructor team, during Saturday morning intro:


Some of our VIPs - the shooters!


The awesome Arkansas SC:


Quinncannon rejoining the instructor ranks!  Welcome back, brother!


Belated award of a Winterseed patch:


ResQJohn sharing Strike 1!


SticksNStones... his heart is as big as the rest of him.


Engaging the first Redcoat target.


Learning about sitting.


Getting Rachel comfortable:


It's time for transitions!


Julius, first Rifleman of the weekend with a 212... he would repeat this a couple times!


Instructors gotta eat.  Catfish and chicken were good. (Oh, and I learned that "Catfish isn't seafood.  It's lake food!")


Our new Orange Hat - Crossfire!


Doug getting his new bucket.  Thanks for stepping up and asking for a hat!


Rachel accepting her shiny new blue hat.  Our Applecore members are awesome - we're glad to have you!


Ball & Dummy with a witness target:


Evan getting his Rifleman patch!  Huzzah!


Andrew getting his patch with a 214!  These Arkansas boys can shoot!


Julius requalifying - twice!


Doug requalifying!  Will the crazyiness ever stop?


NO!  Cat qualifying with a 211


And high score of the day... goes to our newest Applecore - Rachel with a 228!!


Group photo... minus one of us to take the pic!


Our instructor group.  We ran out of Orange hats to issue!  Great problem to have!   


Everyone pitching in to tear down the line... the Arkansas crew is fantastic!


There are a bunch more pictures in my photobucket and I know others took some.  Feel free to share your pics in this thread!

-Rusty

[Cat]

Second one, I might actually have some skills.

[Quinncannon]

Yes, Marine, you do have some skills!

[Valkyrie25]

Awesome weekend, thanks everyone for coming out
Rusty thanks again for coming all the way up and hope to work with you again soon

[Res"Q"John]

A weekend forecast that would make most seek comfort in their homes, did not dissuade our attendees. The winds of Liberty parted the clouds and the Sun shined down on our Patriots and showed us what each was made of. All came with open minds and a teachable attitude.  Rusty did an awesome job as SB as did our RH and SC  Sticksnstones. Our IIT group was outstanding getting down in the trenches giving instruction when needed. Congrats to those that shot Rifleman! And to the ones that were so close, I have no doubt that you will be a Rifleman soon!

[sticksnstones]

A great group to get on the road rebuilding this state program and making it one that rivals all others.

[Maximum Ordinate]

A weekend forecast that would make most seek comfort in their homes, did not dissuade our attendees. The winds of Liberty parted the clouds and the Sun shined down on our Patriots and showed us what each was made of. All came with open minds and a teachable attitude.  Rusty did an awesome job as SB as did our RH and SC  Sticksnstones. Our IIT group was outstanding getting down in the trenches giving instruction when needed. Congrats to those that shot Rifleman! And to the ones that were so close, I have no doubt that you will be a Rifleman soon!

Great pics!  Thank you!

(and the OP has been updated!)

[Quinncannon]

A fine shoot, I'm looking forward to seeing ya'll at Bald Knob this September!